Carving Crappie Fish, basswood

I’ve built furniture projects for many years. But a few years ago, my wife and I started taking some woodcarving classes as something we could do together. This is a project that I have a ton of hours in. I’d be remiss in not mentioning that I had lots and lots of help and direction from my patient instructor, Ralph. Someone pointed out the irony that this is a crappie carved out of “bass” wood. My wife and I took a stroll along side the Missouri river here in town to find the drift wood that I used for mounting it. Most people who look at it say they find it hard to believe it is all wood. Anyway, carving is a new endeavor and I’m not very good at it without constant oversight from Ralph. But it is a craft that doesn’t cost much to do and that is important with two kids in college.

-- Mike, Missouri ---Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year. Ralph Waldo Emerson---

Yes, that’s super! In my opinion, decorative decoys have kind of taken a back seat to fish in the past while, don’t know why but perhaps capturing a fish face and coloring is more challenging – you definitely did both!